News

Reaction to Mass. Supreme Court opinion

February 4, 2004

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans respond to a ruling today by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The advisory opinion made clear that only full, equal civil marriage rights for gay couples would meet its earlier ruling issued in November. The court responded to the Massachusetts State Senate's request for an advisory opinion clarifying whether a new measure banning marriage for same-sex couples, but allowing civil unions, would be constitutional.

"Log Cabin continues working for equal rights for all Americans. This opinion means that all Massachusetts citizens in loving and committed relationships will be treated equally by the state. This ruling gives responsibilities and rights that only the state can confer," remarked Log Cabin executive director Patrick Guerriero.

"The history of our nation has demonstrated that separate is seldom, if ever, equal," wrote the four justices who ruled in the advisory opinion. The ruling also said that a bill allowing civil unions instead of civil marriage would create an "unconstitutional, inferior, and discriminatory status for same-sex couples."

This week Log Cabin launched a conservative advertising campaign in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign and MassEquality. The ad campaign stresses that amending the Massachusetts Constitution is not conservative and would deny important rights and protections to thousands of committed Massachusetts couples and their children. (Go to www.logcabin.org to see the Massachusetts advertisement.)

"This ruling in no way interferes with religious freedom, no matter what propaganda is put forward by opponents of family fairness. No church, synagogue or mosque will be forced to change its beliefs or practices. This is about our government treating all citizens equally and fairly," concluded Guerriero.

Log Cabin salutes Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), MassEquality and the courageous plaintiffs for their commitment to equality for all families in Massachusetts.